The Los Angeles Lakers came away with a 103-88 win over the Denver Nuggets as 4.5-point home favorites to open up their best-of-seven first-round series on Sunday. But they are still providing value in the current futures market.

Los Angeles is currently the third choice to represent the Western Conference in the NBA Finals at betting odds of 9/2 at Bovada Sportsbook, which is surprising due to the amount of playoff experience on its roster.

Kobe Bryant scored a game-high 31 points in the Game 1 victory, while big men Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol combined to grab 21 rebounds.

Let's take a closer look at the betting odds for all eight teams that could potentially represent the West versus the Eastern Conference this summer.

Denver Nuggets

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Point guard Ty Lawson better push the pace in Game 2 if the Denver Nuggets want to remain competitive with the Los Angeles Lakers in their first-round series, as the team was held to just 88 points on Sunday.

The Nuggets are a balanced group, with four starters averaging in double figures. But the team lacks a true superstar to take over the game in the fourth quarter.

Dallas Mavericks

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The defending champions are not dead after suffering a one-point defeat in Game 1, but All-Star forward Dirk Nowitzki will need to go for 30-plus points in Monday's contest to earn a split in Oklahoma City.

Dallas is currently a 6.5-point road underdog in Game 2, which doesn't bode well in earning a victory, as the team straight-up dropped all four games in that situation during the 2011-12 season.

The Mavericks will need to hold court in the Lone Star State to make a series of it.

Los Angeles Clippers

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The Los Angeles Clippers are definitely the talk of the NBA after last night's improbable 99-98 road win over the Memphis Grizzlies, but don't get blinded by that result and throw some action in their direction.

Bettors need to remember that this franchise is making its first playoff appearance since the 2005-06 campaign, and just the fifth since 1984-85.

Los Angeles Lakers

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The Los Angeles Lakers are clearly the value play in the Western Conference, as they look to regain their championship form after getting bounced out of last year's playoffs by eventual champion Dallas.

I believe the entire roster became a believer in reaching the 2012 NBA Finals after tallying a 114-106 double-overtime win over the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Staples Center on April 22.

NBA commissioner David Stern would love for the Lakers to make a run in the playoffs, as Kobe Bryant tries to match Michael Jordan's ring count in the process.

San Antonio Spurs

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I'm just not a believer in a franchise that relied heavily on defense in its early championship years to now outscore everyone in the 2012 NBA playoffs.

Point guard Tony Parker is playing at an incredibly high level, but I think the window has closed on this team that was bounced out of last year's postseason in the first round by the Memphis Grizzlies.